any tactics for a definsive wizard?

[LightPhoenix]

There is no wrong way to play the game if it is still fun.

Which begs the question, are you having fun playing the game? Maybe it's just me, but it doesn't seem like you are right now. Maybe you should consider talking with the DM (who seems a bit over-zealous to me) or finding another group to play with.

 

[Tom]

I’m playing a wizard (8th level). The world is very deadly so I want to be as defensive as possible. I’m playing an abjurer that memorizes mostly defensive spells like mage armor and protection from arrows. There is actually very little room left for attack spells.

Anyway my question is this. Anyone know any great defensive tactics for keeping a wizard alive, I don’t have any problems with fully protecting myself while leaving my team members defenseless. I made a vow that I would not die in this game, that I would survive no matter the cost. So far, I am one of the few players that doesn’t have a death on his record.

1st level spells - Shield and Mage armor, (Edition 3.0 = +11 AC ; 3.5 = +8 AC), Expeditious Retreat if you need to GTFOD {Get the ____ outa dodge}.

2nd level spells - Invisibility, Cat's Grace, Blur (20% miss), Mirror Image, Prot from arrows.

3rd level spells - Blink (50% miss, 50% reduction in Area spells), Displacement (50% miss, with Blink = two 50% miss rolls).

4th level spells - Stoneskin.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I won't even make the argument that all characters are necessary to the party. I won't say that you'll be glad to have that defensive wizard when he is the only one to survive a near tpk or the barbarian when you need to hold a door, or any of the other possibilities. Instead, I'll point out that everyone who plays this game makes a character, usually that they think they'll enjoy, and to talk about how you would leave that character behind or not give him xp just to satisfy your view of "how the game should be played" makes the game less fun for that player.

In that case, I would say your the one who's not playing the game correctly.

Anyone who consistently takes actions without any consideration for how it will affect the fun of the other people at the gaming table really needs to grow up. That applies to both the bullies who harp on other players and selfish players who rationalize their every action as roleplaying.

 

[Ferox4]

That applies to both the bullies who harp on other players and selfish players who rationalize their every action as roleplaying.

Ditto

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

I think that a very good argument can be made that, usually, when a defensive wizard is the only character who survives a near TPK, the defensive wizard is the REASON there was a near TPK.

The first level wizard who prepares no spells other than shield and mage armor is a cut rate fighter without any decent proficiencies or hit points. (Unless he casts the mage armor on the monk, he's making no contribution to anyone else's wellbeing).

The eighth level wizard whose spells are, as someone suggested:
Shield, Mage Armor, Prot Evil, Expd Retreat
Cat's Grace, Blur, Prot Arrows
Blink, Displacement
Stoneskin
had better cast some of those spells on his party members (thereby extending his defensive focus to his allies) or he's just a walking liability to them.

Now some players may be able to endure a walking liability in their party but it frustrates me (and most other players I know) to no end when one character is so focussed on his own survival that he not only acts so as to make it less likely that everyone else survives but also so as to make it less likely that HE survives. The way that person plays his character makes it less likely that everyone else is going to be able to continue playing the characters that they enjoy playing.

I won't even make the argument that all characters are necessary to the party. I won't say that you'll be glad to have that defensive wizard when he is the only one to survive a near tpk or the barbarian when you need to hold a door, or any of the other possibilities. Instead, I'll point out that everyone who plays this game makes a character, usually that they think they'll enjoy, and to talk about how you would leave that character behind or not give him xp just to satisfy your view of "how the game should be played" makes the game less fun for that player.

In that case, I would say your the one who's not playing the game correctly.

 

[Nail]

I think that a very good argument can be made that, usually, when a defensive wizard is the only character who survives a near TPK, the defensive wizard is the REASON there was a near TPK.

Exactly.

I'd like to hear how this defensive wizard is played. Is this the same wizard that fireballed the nilbog (a different thread by the same poster)? If so, you're not being completely clear with us; you've implied all you do is defense, and a fireball ain't defence.

That said, the best thing you (or ANY of your fellow PCs) can do is protect each other. Your PC's survival is based on other PCs also surviving. If your PC would rather not be on the front lines...hey, that's great, really....it becomes your job to buff those that are up there, slogging it out.

Looking around at your posts, in various threads, it looks like many people (including the DM) are thinking about how they personally want to play and have fun, rather than what makes it fun for everyone.

'Round here, that's called being selfish.

Usually, being selfish leads to having less fun. Usually. 'Course, Orcus has plenty of fun, ...so there are exceptions.